High school students interested in exploring careers in business have until May 21 [MONDAY] to apply for a one-of-a-kind summer camp filled with noted business and government leaders guiding them as they develop their own “companies.”

SEARCY, Ark. — Dr. Trisha Yarbrough of Ada has been chosen to succeed Dr. Dennis Organ as executive director of Alpha Chi, the national college honor society, beginning June 1. She was selected by the National Council, Alpha Chi’s governing board, after a seven-month search process that drew 38 applicants.

Free training to qualify for “green jobs” in building thermography and photovoltaic system design will be held between May 21 and June 21 at East Central University in Ada and the Kiamichi Technology Centers in McAlester, Idabel and Atoka.

ECU will provide free day care on its campus for the children of parents enrolled in the Ada classes. Parents should reserve spaces for their children at least three days before their class begins.

The university also will award certificates for all participants who complete a class.

Seven touring musical and comedy acts will stop in Ada during East Central University’s 2012-13 Fine Arts Season, which also includes “The Nutcracker” by the Oklahoma City Ballet and ECU’s theatre and opera productions, concerts and art exhibits.

In addition to the visiting productions, the season includes four ECU Theatre productions, an Opera Gala, nine vocal and instrumental concerts, a dance concert and ongoing art exhibits.

David Porter started out with a part-time job assembling bicycles at Ada’s Wal-Mart store as he worked his way through East Central University. Two years after graduating in 1987, he found himself sitting down with founder Sam Walton at 6 a.m. every Friday to discuss that week’s activities at the company’s first super center store in Dallas, Texas.

The late Wilburn L. Smith, a former president and sales manager of Pre-Paid Legal Services Inc., will be recognized posthumously as the Entrepreneur of the Year Tuesday [MAY 8] at East Central University’s annual Leonard Limes Endowed Lecture in Entrepreneurship.

Smith will be remembered at a luncheon from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday in the Stanley Wagner Ballroom in the Memorial Student Union. The luncheon is open to the public. There is no cost but attendees must RSVP by 10 a.m. Monday [MAY 7] by calling Jordan Morris in the School of Business at 580-559-5274.

East Central University's mission is to foster a learning environment in which students, faculty, staff, and communityinteract to educate students for life in a rapidly changing and culturally diverse society. Within its service area,East Central University provides leadership for economic development and cultural enhancement.